Sunflowers - The Finale

Ta da! This will be the final installment of our regular sunflower updates. They have peaked in their journey upward. Windy storms and the weight of the stalks and flowers have caused our giant friends to lean and fall. Last night I took some twine and bundled several bunches of stalks and anchored them to a pole so that they would not droop so much.

Week 11, July 15, 2012. So many flowers!

Week 12, July 20, 2012. That's one huge flower! Miss Clara always

has time to strike a pose. Colton, on the other hand, would rather

be playing with his tractor.

Week 13, July 29, 2012. So big and heavy we had to tie they up

so that they wouldn't fall down! 

There will probably still be several more flowers to bloom, but the excitement of watching them grow and the cooperation in weekly pictures has come and gone. It has been fun watching them and the children grow together over the past 13 weeks. We look forward to carrying on this family tradition next  summer...wherever we may be.

Some More S'mores, Please!!!

Yeah! I know, the title is pretty cliché, but I couldn't resist! A few weeks ago we had our new neighbors over for a little backyard campfire and some s'mores. They had us over earlier in the day for a bbq and some splashing on their inflatable water slide and pool, so, it only seemed fair to share our graham crackers, marshmallows and chocolate! The kids were instant pals and couldn't wait to stay up late, eat some treats, and catch some fireflies.

Colton enjoying the flames. I have a feeling he's gonna grow up

to be enthralled with flames and things that go boom, just like his Daddy.

Clara enjoying her first ever s'more!

She's my daughter, so obviously she was addicted instantly!

Colton was little less excited about the triple goodness of the s'mores.

He preferred the marshmallow unroasted, all by itself,

and the graham cracker with chocolate on top.

Clara trying her hand at roasting a marshmallow.

It didn't last long, too smokey for her.

Our blue eyed boy. I could just smother that

face in kisses every day! Oh, wait...I do!

We had a great day with our new friends and can't wait to take advantage of having a great family with young children living right across the street. I forsee many more days and nights of smiles and happy memories in our futures!

We Have Sunflowers!

They're here! They're here! Our first sunflower bloomed this week! I wish I could have gotten a picture of Clara when she rounded the corner and found the first bloom. We ran back in the house to get the camera to properly document the first sunflower of the season. But, first, we need to catch up on a couple weeks of sunflower pictures.

Week 8: June 23, 2012. Still growing...

Week 9: June 30, 2012. ....and growing.

Week 9.2: July 2, 2012. The first flower of the season!!!

Miss Clara inspecting the first flower of the season!

Week 10: July 6, 2012. Even Barbie is excited to see all the

flowers this week!

Adventures in Cave City

My bestest friend lives in Atlanta. We've known each other for 18 years and we don't get to see each other very often. In fact, it was January 2009 when I last saw her. We've never met eachothers' youngest children and Clara was only 11 months when we had our last visit together. When Stacy called to say they were going to be in Kentucky and asked if we could meet her, there was only one possible answer - Ummmmm? ABSOLUTELY!!!!!! We planned a trip to Cave City to meet up and do some exploring with the kiddos. Our little rendezvous was over a month ago, but I have completely enjoyed looking back at the picture and thinking, "Man! We've got to do this more often!"

Our first day we attempted to visit Mammoth Cave. The closest we got was the lovely path to the entrance and up to the locked door of the entrance. Turns out they didn't offer the perfect, short, self-guided tour that day (contrary to the information I got when I called ahead to find out). Oh well! We settled for a nice walk instead.

Wilder, Clara & Colton, off to explore!

"I'm gonna get ya!"

There's just something about pictures like this, of the children you love.

 Our love bugs!

Wilder and Clara were playing leap frog.

Colton couldn't quite figure it out!

Our blonde beauty

After our walk at Mammoth Cave National Park we found our way to Diamond Caverns. They had a much more toddler friendly tour that fit our schedule perfectly!



It wouldn't be a story about Cave City if there wasn't at

least one picture of a cave, right? This is from our adventuring in

Diamond Caverns.

Taking a break on our tour. There were hundreds of stairs,

believe me, we needed a rest!

Three exhausted kids after an afternoon exploring caves

and swimming at the hotel.

Well, maybe not THAT tired!

Still have some energy left for jumping on the bed!

Day two found us braving the clouds and occasional sprinkles as we ventured through Kentucky Down Under wildlife park.

Up close and personal with a lorikeet.

Having fun with my temporary new hair accessory!

Colton was curious, but not enough to get any closer.

Kangaroos boxing, while two others,

inclduing one with a Joey in her pouch, look on.

Not at all embarrassed as I attempt to play a didgeridoo,

an Aboriginal instrument. I couldn't get the darn thing to make a sound!

Me and my Stacers!

Two days of catching up. Two days of exhausting fun. Two days of marveling at how our cute kids became instant buddies. Two days of many smiles. Two days making memories that will last forever. Even though we will probably always be states apart, we need to have more days like this!